Thorns and Roses, Mist and Fury

A review of the first two novels in Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses series.

I'd just finished reading Empire of Storms, a novel by the same author (part of the Throne of Glass) series, and found myself needing a new book. So, when I learned that Sarah J. Maas had another series out I rushed to the nearest Barnes and Noble to buy the first two books.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a good book. But, it is not a great book. I found it to be very reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, and in some ways the similarities were a little too much for me. However, it introduces some really great characters, and the world-building in it, as in Throne of Glass, is excellent. The scenes are set beautifully, and the dialogue is wonderful as well. Additionally, the last half of the novel contains a plot twist that pulls you right into the second novel.

A Court of Mist and Fury is a great book. The character development here of both the heroine, Feyre, and one of my all-time favorite characters in YA lit., Rhysand, is excellent. This novel further expands on the excellent world-building that's found in the first book, and also contains wonderful cast of new characters that leap right off of the page. For me, reading ACOMAF made me want to re-read ACOTAR; it is the perfect expansion to the events that take place in the first novel, and sets up a series that promises to be thrilling, enthralling, and heartbreaking.

If you're someone who enjoys fantasy, characters that make you want to laugh, and cry, within the expanse of a few pages, and exceptional lore, then I highly recommend this series. While I, admittedly, found the first book to be a bit slow and dry, the concept and the characters kept me under their spell so that I read the second book. I am beyond happy that I did, because A Court of Mist and Fury is one of the best books I've read in a while. It's a bit on the longer side, but I devoured it in under a week because of how intense the plot development is. I'm really looking forward to reading the third book, which I just picked up a few days ago!

Give this series a shot and let me know what you think!

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - 4.5 out of 5 stars

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas - 5 out of 5 stars